6.7 Transmitter intermodulation

37.1053GPPActive Antenna System (AAS) Base Station (BS) transmission and receptionRelease 17TS

Tools: ARFCN - Frequency Conversion for 5G NR/LTE/UMTS/GSM

6.7.1 General

The transmitter intermodulation requirement is a measure of the capability of the transmitter unit to inhibit the generation of signals in its non-linear elements caused by presence of the wanted signal and an interfering signal reaching the transmitter unit via the RDN and antenna array. The requirement applies during the transmitter ON period and the transmitter transient period.

The requirement applies at each TAB connector supporting transmission in the operating band.

The transmitter intermodulation level is the power of the intermodulation products when an interfering signal is injected into the TAB connector.

For AAS BS there are two types of transmitter intermodulation cases captured by the transmitter intermodulation requirement:

1) Co-location transmitter intermodulation in which the interfering signal is from a co-located base station.

2) Intra-system transmitter intermodulation in which the interfering signal is from other transmitter units within the AAS BS.

For AAS BS, the co-location transmitter intermodulation requirement is considered sufficient if the interfering signal for the co-location requirement is higher than the declared interfering signal for intra-system transmitter intermodulation requirement.

6.7.2 Minimum requirement for MSR operation

6.7.2.1 General co-location minimum requirement

The transmitter intermodulation level shall not exceed the unwanted emission limits specified for transmitter spurious emission in subclause 6.6.6, operating band unwanted emission in subclause 6.6.5 and ACLR in subclause 6.6.3 in the presence of a wanted signal and an interfering signal according to table 6.7.2.1‑1 for AAS BS operation in BC1, BC2 and BC3.

The requirement is applicable outside the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges or Radio Bandwidth edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in non-contiguous spectrum, the requirement is also applicable inside a sub-block gap for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the sub-block gap. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the sub-block edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement applies relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges of each operating band. In case the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap is less than 15 MHz, the requirement in the gap applies only for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap.

Table 6.7.2.1-1: Interfering signal for
the co-location transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	E-UTRA or NR signal
Interfering signal type	E-UTRA signal of channel bandwidth 5 MHz
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from Base Station RF Bandwidth edge or edge of sub-block inside a gap	±2.5 MHz ±7.5 MHz ±12.5 MHz
NOTE 1: Interfering signal positions that are partially or completely outside of any downlink operating band of the TAB connector are excluded from the requirement, unless the interfering signal positions fall within the frequency range of adjacent downlink operating bands in the same geographical area. In case that none of the interfering signal positions fall completely within the frequency range of the downlink operating band, 3GPP TS 37.141 [19] provides further guidance regarding appropriate test requirements. NOTE 2: In certain regions, NOTE 1 is not applied in Band 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 18, 19, 21, 28, 32 operating within 1 475.9 MHz to 1 495.9 MHz, 34.

6.7.2.2 Additional co-location minimum requirement (BC1 and BC2)

The requirement is applicable outside the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges for BC2. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in non-contiguous spectrum in BC1 or BC2, the requirement is also applicable inside a sub-block gap with a gap size larger than or equal to two times the interfering signal centre frequency offset. For TAB connectors supporting operation in non-contiguous spectrum in BC1, the requirement is not applicable inside a sub-block gap with a gap size equal to or larger than 5 MHz. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the sub-block edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement applies relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges of a BC2 operating band. The requirement is also applicable for BC1 and BC2 inside an inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap equal to or larger than two times the interfering signal centre frequency offset. For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement is not applicable for BC1 band inside an inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap with a gap size equal to or larger than 5 MHz.

Table 6.7.2.2-1: Interfering signal for
the co-location transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	E-UTRA or NR or UTRA signal
Interfering signal type	CW
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from Base Station RF Bandwidth edge or edge of sub-block inside a gap	> abs(800) kHz for CW interferer
NOTE: Interfering signal positions that are partially or completely outside of any downlink operating band of the TAB connector are excluded from the requirement.

6.7.2.3 Additional co-location minimum requirement (BC3)

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement applies relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges of each operating band. In case the Inter RF Bandwidth gap is less than 3.2 MHz, the requirement in the gap applies only for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap.

Table 6.7.2.3-1: Interfering signal for
the co-location transmitter intermodulation requirement (BC3)

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	E-UTRA or NR or UTRA signal
Interfering signal type	1,28 Mcps UTRA TDD signal of channel bandwidth 1,6 MHz
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from Base Station RF Bandwidth edge or edge of sub-block inside a gap	±0,8 MHz ±1,6 MHz ±2,4 MHz
NOTE: Interfering signal positions that are partially or completely outside of any downlink operating band of the base station are excluded from the requirement.

6.7.2.4 Additional co-location minimum requirements

6.7.2.5 Intra-system minimum requirement

The transmitter intermodulation level shall not exceed the unwanted emission limits specified for operating band unwanted emission in subclause 6.6.5 and ACLR in subclause 6.6.3 in the presence of a wanted signal and an interfering signal according to table 6.7.2.5-1 for BS operation in BC1, BC2 and BC3.

Table 6.7.2.5-1: Interfering signal for
intra-system transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	E-UTRA or NR or UTRA
Interfering signal type	NR, E-UTRA or UTRA signal of the same type and channel bandwidth as the wanted signal (NOTE 1).
Interfering signal level	Power level declared by the base station manufacturer (NOTE 2).
Frequency offset between interfering signal and wanted signal	0 MHz
NOTE 1: The interfering signal shall be incoherent with the wanted signal. NOTE 2: The declared interfering signal power level at each TAB connector is the sum of the co-channel leakage power coupled via the combined RDN and Antenna Array from all the other TAB connectors, but does not comprise power radiated from the Antenna Array and reflected back from the environment. The power at each of the interfering TAB connectors is P_Rated,c,TABC.

6.7.3 Minimum requirement for single RAT UTRA operation

6.7.3.1 General co-location minimum requirement for FDD UTRA

The transmitter intermodulation level shall not exceed the out of band emission or the spurious emission requirements of subclause 6.6.5 and subclause 6.6.6 in the presence of interfering signal according to table 6.7.3.1-1.

Table 6.7.3.1-1: Interfering and wanted signal frequency offset for co-location requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	UTRA
Interfering signal type	UTRA
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from the lower (upper) edge of the wanted signal or edge of sub-block inside a gap	-2,5 MHz -7,5 MHz -12,5 MHz +2,5 MHz +7,5 MHz +12,5 MHz
NOTE 1: Interference frequencies that are outside of any allocated frequency band for UTRA-FDD downlink specified in subclause 4.6 are excluded from the requirement, unless the interfering signal positions fall within the frequency range of adjacent downlink operating bands in the same geographical area. NOTE 2: NOTE 1 is not applied in Band I, III, VI, VIII, IX, XI, XIX, XXI, and XXXII operating within 1 475.9 MHz to 1 495.9MHz, in certain regions.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement is also applicable inside an inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap.

6.7.3.2 General co-location minimum requirement for 1,28 Mcps TDD UTRA

Table 6.7.3.2-1: Interfering and wanted signals frequency offset for co-location requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	1,28 Mcps TDD UTRA
Interfering signal type	1,28 Mcps TDD UTRA
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from the lower (upper) edge of the wanted signal	-0,8 MHz -2,4MHz -4,0 MHz +0,8 MHz +2,4 MHz +4,0 MHz
NOTE: Interference frequencies that are outside of the allocated frequency band specified in subclause 4.6 are excluded from the requirement, unless the interfering signal positions fall within the frequency range of adjacent downlink operating bands in the same geographical area.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in non-contiguous spectrum, the requirement is also applicable inside a sub‑block gap for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the sub-block gap. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the sub-block edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating band, the requirement is also applicable inside an inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap.

6.7.3.3 Intra-system minimum requirement

Table 6.7.3.3-1: Interfering and wanted signals for
intra-system transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	UTRA or 1,28 Mcps TDD UTRA
Interfering signal type	UTRA or 1,28 Mcps TDD UTRA signal of the same channel bandwidth as the wanted signal (NOTE 1).
Interfering signal level	Power level declared by the base station manufacturer (NOTE 2).
Frequency offset between interfering signal and wanted signal	0 MHz
NOTE 1: The interfering signal shall be incoherent with the wanted signal. NOTE 2: The declared interfering signal power level at each TAB connector is the sum of the co-channel leakage power coupled via the combined RDN and Antenna Array from all the other TAB connectors, but does not comprise power radiated from the Antenna Array and reflected back from the environment. The power at each of the interfering TAB connectors is P_Rated,c,TABC.

6.7.4 Minimum requirement for single RAT E-UTRA operation

6.7.4.1 General co-location minimum requirement

The transmitter intermodulation level shall not exceed the unwanted emission limits in subclauses 6.6.6, 6.6.5 and 6.6.3 in the presence of an E-UTRA interfering signal according to table 6.7.4.1‑1.

The requirement is applicable outside the Base Station RF Bandwidth or Radio Bandwidth. The interfering signal offset is defined relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges or Radio Bandwidth edges.

For TAB connectors supporting operation in multiple operating bands, the requirement applies relative to the Base Station RF Bandwidth edges of each supported operating band. In case the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap is less than 15 MHz, the requirement in the gap applies only for interfering signal offsets where the interfering signal falls completely within the inter Base Station RF Bandwidth gap.

The wanted signal and interfering signal centre frequency is specified in table 6.7.4.1‑1.

Table 6.7.4.1-1: Interfering and wanted signals for
the co-location transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal	E-UTRA single carrier, or multi-carrier, or multiple intra-band contiguously or non-contiguously aggregated carriers
Interfering signal type	E-UTRA signal of channel bandwidth 5 MHz
Interfering signal level	Rated total output power per TAB connector in the operating band (P_Rated,t,TABC) – 30dB
Interfering signal centre frequency offset from the lower (upper) edge of the wanted signal or edge of sub-block inside a sub-block gap	±2,5 MHz ±7,5 MHz ±12,5 MHz
NOTE 1: Interfering signal positions that are partially or completely outside of any downlink operating band of the base station are excluded from the requirement, unless the interfering signal positions fall within the frequency range of adjacent downlink operating bands in the same geographical area. In case that none of the interfering signal positions fall completely within the frequency range of the downlink operating band, 3GPP TS 36.141 [20] provides further guidance regarding appropriate test requirements. NOTE 2: In certain regions, NOTE 1 is not applied in Band 1, 3, 8, 9, 11, 18, 19, 21, 28, 32 operating within 1 475.9 MHz to 1 495.9 MHz, 34, 74.

6.7.4.2 Void

Table 6.7.4.2-1: Void

6.7.4.3 Intra-system minimum requirement

Table 6.7.4.3-1: Interfering and wanted signals for
intra-system transmitter intermodulation requirement

Parameter	Value
Wanted signal type	E-UTRA
Interfering signal type	E-UTRA signal of the same channel bandwidth as the wanted signal (NOTE 1).
Interfering signal level	Power level declared by the base station manufacturer (NOTE 2).
Frequency offset between interfering signal and wanted signal	0 MHz
NOTE 1: The interfering signal shall be incoherent with the wanted signal. NOTE 2: The declared interfering signal power level at each TAB connector is the sum of the co-channel leakage power coupled via the combined RDN and Antenna Array from all the other TAB connectors, but does not comprise power radiated from the Antenna Array and reflected back from the environment. The power at each of the interfering TAB connectors is P_Rated,c,TABC.